LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES-LAGUNA

Km 54 National Highway, Brgy. Makiling, Calamba City

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER STUDIES

PHY1L: Experiment Number 6
Collision- Conservation of Momentum
Group No. H
Members- Assignment:

Video Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19E1rrLwvIjAhr5krStvaRy81DrWEph4o/view?usp=sharing

*Louise Targa cannot open her camera due to technical issues

Objectives:
1. Draw "before-and-after" pictures of collisions.
2. Construct momentum vector representations of "before-and-after" collisions.
3. Apply the law of conservation of momentum to solve collision problems.
4. Explain why energy is not conserved and varies in some collisions.
5. Determine the change in mechanical energy in collisions of varying elasticity.
6. Define elasticity.

Introduction:
Click the link to proceed https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/collision-lab/latest/collision-lab_en.html
Make sure the 1-d box is checked. Click on “More Data” to expand the data table.

Part 1
Scenario #1: 100% Elastic collision between balls of equal mass
1. Make a hypothesis about initial and final momentums before playing with the sim.
The ball that has greater impact will slow down after the collision and the ball which have a smaller velocity at
the initial will speed up when collided with the other object.

2. Complete the following data tables for each ball before and after each trial. Perform 2 trials with 2 different sets
of balls of equal masses.
Trial 1 Before Sim
Note: The values listed in Trial 1 table are based from the simulator values.

Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 2.0 kg 1.0 m/s 2.0 kg m/s
2 2.0 kg -0.5 m/s -1.0 kg m/s
Total 1 kg m/s

SOLUTION IN OBTAINING THE MOMENTUM

BALL 1 BALL 2
Given: 2.0 kg−m Given: 2.0 kg−m
Formula: ⃗p=mv
m m
Where: ⃗p−momentum 1.0 −v −0.5 −v
m−mass∈kilogram ( kg ) s s
Solution: ⃗p=mv Solution: ⃗p=mv
m
v−velocity ( ) m m
s ⃗p=(2.0 kg)(1.0 ) ⃗p=(2.0 kg)(−0.5 )
s s
⃗p=2.0 kg m/s ⃗p=−1.0 kg m/s
 Simulator Interface before running the
program:

This image shows that position as well as the

values of the two balls having the equal mass
of 2 kg and a velocity of 1.0 m/s and -0.50
m/s for the 1st and 2nd ball. The momentum is
also displayed for verification.

Trial 1 After Sim

Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 2.0 kg -0.5 m/s -1.0 kg m/s
2 2.0 kg 1.0 m/s 2.0 kg m/s
Total 1 kg m/s

SOLUTION IN OBTAINING THE MOMENTUM

BALL 1 BALL 2
Given: 2.0 kg−m Given: 2.0 kg−m
Formula: ⃗p=mv
m m
Where: ⃗p−momentum 0.5 −v 1 −v
m−mass∈kilogram ( kg ) s s
Solution: ⃗p=mv Solution: ⃗p=mv
m
v−velocity ( ) m m
s ⃗p=(2.0 kg)(0.5 ) ⃗p=(2.0 kg)(1 )
s s
⃗p=−1.0 kg m/s ⃗p=2.0 kg m/s

Simulator Interface after running the program:

After running the simulator with the same

set of values tabulated above, we can
notice that the initial values are different
from the result. Ball 1 have a lower
velocity of -1.0 kg m/s compared to the 2.0
kg m/s of the second ball. This brought by
the change in velocity wherein ball 1 have
a negative velocity which also makes its
momentum negative. This only means that
it took a reverse travel or bounced back.
 Trial 2 Before Sim

Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 3.0 kg 1 m/s 3 kg m/s
2 3.0 kg -0.50 m/s -1.50 kg m/s
Total 1.5 kg m/s

SOLUTION IN OBTAINING THE MOMENTUM

BALL 1 BALL 2
Given: 3.0 kg−m Given: 3.0 kg−m
Formula: ⃗p=mv
m m
Where: ⃗p−momentum 1.0 −v −0.50 −v
m−mass∈kilogram ( kg ) s s
Solution: ⃗p=mv Solution: ⃗p=mv
m
v−velocity ( ) m m
s ⃗p=(3.0 kg)(1.0 ) ⃗p=(3.0 kg)(−0.50 )
s s
⃗p=3.0 kg m/s ⃗p=−1.5 kg m/s

Simulator Interface before running the

program:

This image shows that position as well as

the values of the two balls having the
equal mass of 3 kg and a velocity of 1.0
m/s and -0.50 m/s for the 1 st and 2nd ball.
The momentum is also displayed for
verification.

Trial 2 After Sim

Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 3.0 kg -0.50 m/s -1.50 kg m/s
2 3.0 kg 1.0 m/s 3.0 kg m/s
Total 1.5 kg m/s

SOLUTION IN OBTAINING THE MOMENTUM

Formula: ⃗p=mv BALL 1 BALL 2
Where: ⃗p−momentum Given: 3.0 kg−m Given: 3.0 kg−m
m−mass∈kilogram ( kg ) m m
−0.50 −v 1.0 −v
m s s
v−velocity ( )
s Solution: ⃗p=mv Solution: ⃗p=mv
 m m
⃗p=(3.0 kg)(−0.50 ) ⃗p=(3.0 kg)(1.0 )
s s
⃗p=−1.50 kg m/s ⃗p=3.0 kg m/s

Simulator Interface after running the program:

After running the simulator with the

same set of values tabulated above, we
can notice that the initial values are
different from the result. Ball 1 have a
lower velocity of -0.50 kg m/s
compared to the 1.0 kg m/s of the
second ball. This brought by the change
in velocity wherein ball 1 have a
negative velocity which also makes its
momentum negative. This only means
that it took a reverse travel or bounced
back.

With the two trials shown above, we can notice the interchanging of values in terms of the velocity of the ball from its
initial and final values. Both of the trials exhibited that a ball which has a more massive attack tends to bounce and have
a negative value of momentum. It also shows that the ball that has a higher impact is predicted to move slower. This can
be noticed through the negative values that the final trial obtained.

Scenario #2: 100% Elastic collision between balls of unequal mass

1. Make a hypothesis about initial and final momentums before playing with the sim.
Given that we are now dealing with unequal mass, ball with greater mass will move slower after the collision
and the ball lower in mass will speed up which also make its momentum higher than the heavier ball.

2. Complete the following data tables for each ball before and after each trial. Perform 2 trials with 2 different sets
of balls of unequal masses.

Trial 1 Before Sim

Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 2.5 kg 1.0 m/s 2.50 kg m/s
2 1.3 kg -0.50 m/s -0.65 kg m/s
Total 1.85 kg m/s

SOLUTION IN OBTAINING THE MOMENTUM

Formula: ⃗p=mv BALL 1 BALL 2
Where: ⃗p−momentum Given: 2.5 kg−m Given: 1.3 kg−m
m−mass∈kilogram ( kg ) m m
1.0 −v −0.50 −v
s s
 m Solution: ⃗p=mv Solution: ⃗p=mv
v−velocity ( )
s m m
⃗p=(2.5 kg)(1.0 ) ⃗p=(1.3 kg)(−0.50 )
s s
⃗p=2.50 kg m/s ⃗p=−0.65 kg m/s

Simulator Interface before running the program:

This image shows the initial values of

the two balls with unequal mass. It is
also displayed that 2.50 kg ball has a
higher velocity of 1 m/s while the lighter
ball has a lower velocity as well as its
momentum.

Trial 1 After Sim

Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 2.5 kg -0.03 m/s -0.07 kg m/s
2 1.3 kg 1.47 m/s 1.92 kg m/s
Total 1.85 kg m/s

SOLUTION IN OBTAINING THE MOMENTUM

BALL 1 BALL 2
Given: 2.5 kg−m Given: 1.3 kg−m
Formula: ⃗p=mv
m m
Where: ⃗p−momentum −0.03 −v 1.47 −v
s s
m−mass∈kilogram ( kg )
Solution: ⃗p=mv Solution: ⃗p=mv
m
v−velocity ( ) m m
s ⃗p=(2.5 kg)(−0.03 ) ⃗p=(1.3 kg)(1.47 )
s s
⃗p=−0.07 kg m/s ⃗p=1.92 kg m/ s

Simulator Interface after running the program:

Based on the scenario given, we can

notice that the values are a lot different.
The ball with a higher mass moves the slowest and has a lower momentum. Conversely, the lighter ball has a high
velocity as well as its momentum.
 Trial 2 Before Sim

Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 2.0 kg 1.0 m/s 2.0 kg m/s
2 3.0 kg -0.50 m/s -1.50 kg m/s
Total 0.5 kg m/s

SOLUTION IN OBTAINING THE MOMENTUM

BALL 1 BALL 2
Given: 2.0 kg−m Given: 3.0 kg−m
Formula: ⃗p=mv
m m
Where: ⃗p−momentum 1.0 −v −0.50 −v
m−mass∈kilogram ( kg ) s s
Solution: ⃗p=mv Solution: ⃗p=mv
m
v−velocity ( ) m m
s ⃗p=(2.0 kg)(1.0 ) ⃗p=(3.0 kg)(−0.50 )
s s
⃗p=2.0 kg m/s ⃗p=−1.50 kg m/s

Simulator Interface before running the program:

This image shows the initial values of

the two balls with unequal mass. It is
also displayed that the 1st ball with 2
kg has a higher velocity than the 2 nd
ball of 3 kg.

Trial 2 After Sim

Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 2.0 kg -0.80 m/s -1.60kg m/s
2 3.0 kg 0.70 m/s 2.10 kg m/s
Total 0.5 kg m/s

SOLUTION IN OBTAINING THE MOMENTUM

Formula: ⃗p=mv BALL 1 BALL 2
Where: ⃗p−momentum Given: 2.0 kg−m Given: 3.0 kg−m
m−mass∈kilogram ( kg ) m m
−0.80 −v 0.70 −v
m s s
v−velocity ( )
s Solution: ⃗p=mv Solution: ⃗p=mv
m m
⃗p=(2.0 kg)(−0.80 ) ⃗p=(3.0 kg)(0.70 )
s s
⃗p=−1.60 ⃗p=2.10 kg m/s
 kg m/ s

Simulator Interface after running the

program:

Based on the scenario given, we can

notice that the values are a lot
different. The ball with a higher mass
moves the slowest and has a lower
momentum. Conversely, the lighter ball
has a high velocity as well as its
momentum.

Through the series of trial performed using two unequal masses, we noticed that when two objects are unequal, values
in terms of momentum and velocities are higher compared to the objects with equal mass. We can also notice that the
object with higher impact will move slower and will bounce back giving a negative value for both velocity and
momentum.

3. What is the relationship between the initial and final total momentums in Scenario 1? In Scenario 2?
Based on the trial made upon the simulator, we had performed two equal and two unequal objects. Looking
through the values of velocities and momentum, it possesses a direct proportional relationship. This is due to
the observation that when the final velocity of the object decreases its momentum also decreases. Another
finding is the fact that the kinetic energy does not change amidst changes within mass, velocities or momentum.
It remains the same from the initial until its final values. This only proved t he law of conservation which states
that in an elastic collision both momentum and kinetic energy remain the same. For references and evidences
refer to the illustration below sourced from the previous trials administered in the simulator.

PART 1 TRIALS (EQUAL MASSES)

 TRIAL 1: 2 KG MASS

TRIAL 2: 3 KG

Initial Kinetic Energy: 1.25 J Final Kinetic Energy: 1.25 J

Initial Kinetic Energy: 1.88 J Final Kinetic Energy: 1.88 J

PART 2 TRIALS (UNEQUAL MASSES)

 TRIAL 1: 2.5 KG AND 1.3 KG

TRIAL 2: 2 KG AND 3 KG

Initial Kinetic Energy: 1.41 J Final Kinetic Energy: 1.41 J

Initial Kinetic Energy: 1.38 J Final Kinetic Energy: 1.38 J

4. Describe the motion of the balls before and after the collision in Scenario 1. Describe the motion of the balls
before and after the collision in Scenario 2.
Based on the observations made during the experiment, we can say that the motion follows the law of
conservation wherein the balls exchange their kinetic energy and momentum equally with one another. This
makes the overall momentum as well as the kinetic energy remains the same all throughout the motion. This
principle applies to both scenario 1 and 2. In addition, the direction of balls changes opposite to what it was
before collision. On the other hand, the magnitude of the velocities changes to make the law of conservation
conserved in other words, to keep momentum the of the same value. With this it makes the heavier mass
becoming slower and the lighter mass getting higher velocity. To visualize the points of the explanation, refer to
the summary of the values below.

SCENARIO 1 (EQUAL MASS)

MOMENTUM (kg m/s) KINETIC ENERGY (J)
TRIAL BALL MASS (kg)
INITIAL VALUE FINAL VALUE INITIAL VALUE FINAL VALUE
1 2.0 2.0 -1.0 125 125
1
2 2.0 -1.0 2.0 125 125
 TOTAL 0.50 0.50 remained the same

1 3.0 3.0 -1.5 188 188

2
2 3.0 -1.5 3.0 188 188
TOTAL 1.50 1.50 remained the same

SCENARIO 2 (UNEQUAL MASS)

MOMENTUM (kg m/s) KINETIC ENERGY (J)
TRIAL BALL MASS (kg)
INITIAL VALUE FINAL VALUE INITIAL VALUE FINAL VALUE
1 2.5 2.5 -0.07 141 141
1
2 1.3 -0.65 1.92 141 141
TOTAL 1.85 1.85 remained the same

1 2.0 2.0 -1.6 138 138

2
2 3.0 -1.5 2.1 138 138
TOTAL 0.5 0.5 remained the same
Part 2
Create 3 more distinct scenarios in 1-d including one totally inelastic collision (0% elasticity). For each scenario, list the
elasticity percentage, fill out the data tables, and make a hypothesis whether or not each will follow conservation of
momentum. Collect some data and prove or disprove your hypothesis.

Scenario #1
Elasticity %: 100
Hypothesis: Both of the initial and the final momentums summation for both balls will remain the same while Kinetic
energy will remain the same assuming the application of the law of conservation. The velocities of the balls
will change after the collision

Before Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 1.0 kg 1.0 m/s 1.0 kg m/s
2 1.5 kg -0.5 m/s -0.75 kg m/s
Total 0.25 kg m/s

Simulator Interface:

After Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 1.0 kg -0.80 m/s -80 kg m/s
2 1.5 kg 0.70 m/s 1.05 kg m/s
Total 0.25 kg m/s

Simulator Interface:
Hypothesis accepted or rejected?
The hypothesis is accepted. The scenario above shows that momentum and kinetic energy will remain the same in
elastic collision of 100% with 0.25 kg m/s and 0.69 J respectively amidst that the object are unequal in mass.

Scenario #2
Elasticity %: 100
Hypothesis: Given that the scenario has equal mass, both of the initial and the final momentums summation and kinetic
energy for both balls will remain the same The velocities of the balls will change after the collision

Before Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 1.50 kg 1.0 m/s 1.50 kg m/s
2 1.50 kg -0.50 m/s -0.75 kg m/s
Total 0.75 kg m/s

Simulator Interface:

After Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 1.50 kg -0.50 m/s -0.75 kg m/s
2 1.50 kg 1.0 m/s 1.0 kg m/s
Total 0.75 kg m/s

Simulator Interface:
Hypothesis accepted or rejected?
The hypothesis is accepted. The scenario above shows that momentum and kinetic energy will remain the same in
elastic collision of 100% with 0.75 kg m/s and 0.94 J also being of the same and equal mass.

Scenario #3
Elasticity %: 0
Hypothesis: Given that the scenario is inelastic, still both of the initial and the final momentums summation for both
balls will remain the same while Kinetic energy will remain the same assuming the application of the law of
conservation will also apply into inelastic collision. The velocities of the balls will change after the collision.

Before Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 1.5 kg 1.0 m/s 1.5 kg m/s
2 1.5 kg -0.50 m/s -0.75 kg m/s
Total 0.75 kg m/s

Simulator Interface:

After Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 1.5 kg 0.25 m/s 0.38 kg m/s
2 1.5 kg 0.25 m/s 0.38 kg m/s
Total 0.76 kg m/s

Simulator Interface:
Hypothesis accepted or rejected?
The hypothesis is rejected. Kinetic energy as well as the summation of momentum are different from its initial values.
This only implies that inelastic collisions are not the same of elastic collision in terms of concept and values in predicting
momentums and kinetic energy

Summary
In a minimum of 3 sentences, describe the main ideas learned in this activity regarding initial and final total
momentum in these collisions.
Anchored on the series of trials made during the experiment, we therefore observed that collisions involve mass and
velocity which makes up a value of momentum. In addition, mass and velocity possess an indirect proportional
relationship due to the act that as the mass increases, the velocity decreases, this shows that the heavier the object, the
harder it is to travel along a distance. Furthermore, we also learned the concept of Kinetic Energy as well as the law of
conservation, all though out the trials, kinetic energy is conserve and do not change may it be an initial value or final
value. However, if the collision is classified as inelastic, the energy is transformed differently which gives us a different
value for the final.

Conclusion: (Answering the objectives)

As a result, we discovered that collisions include mass and velocity, resulting in a momentum number that represents
"before-and-after" collisions. In the absence of external forces, the total momentum of two objects colliding is equal to
the total momentum after the collision.

Momentum conservation may be used to determine the speed of two colliding objects, such as a billiard ball colliding
with another ball, which is called inelastic, and another example is when a car collides with a motor, which is considered
elastic. According to the rule of conservation of momentum, the momentum of an object before it collides with another
object is equal to the total momentum after it collides with it. As a result, P initial equals P final.

An inelastic collision is defined as one in which the kinetic energy is not preserved. The final kinetic energy of an inelastic
collision is lower than the starting kinetic energy. In an inelastic collision, the system's momentum is preserved, but the
kinetic energy is not. This is since some kinetic energy had been transferred to another object.

The mechanical energy of an object, which is the total of its kinetic and potential energy, is used to determine its ability
to do work. The location or movement of an object generates mechanical energy. When there is no net kinetic energy
loss in the system because of the collision, it is called an elastic collision. Because there is no net kinetic energy in elastic
collisions, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved by the change in mechanical energy in collisions of varying
elasticity. Because there is no net kinetic energy in elastic collisions, the mechanical energy of an object, which is the
total of its kinetic and potential energy is conserved.

Elasticity is when the forces that caused the deformed are released, a distorted material body might return to its original
shape and size. Elastic behavior or the response is a term used to describe a body that has this flexibility.